Low breakdown voltage gas discharge device and methods of manufacture and operation

Abstract

A low breakdown voltage gas discharge device includes an envelope filled with an appropriately selected working substance. Two main electrodes are sealed in a vacuum-tight manner inside the envelope, and are separated by a predetermined distance. A supplemental electrode extends between the main electrodes along the direction of the electrical discharge, and has its geometrical and electrical parameters satisfy the following equation: S=I.sub.d /C, where S is the surface area of the supplemental electrode and depends on the distance between the main electrodes, I d is the current flowing in the supplemental electrode during normal glow discharge, and C is a constant characterizing the current I d , the composition of the supplemental electrode, and the type and pressure of the working substance. The supplemental electrode is connected to an AC or DC power source via a switch, so that the supplemental electrode always acts as a preparatory glow discharge cathode.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A low breakdown voltage gas discharge device comprising in combination: a. an envelope filled with a discharge medium;   b. two main electrodes hermetically sealed in said envelope and separated by a predetermined distance and defining a direction for an electrical discharge;   c. a supplemental electrode extending at least partially between said main electrodes along said direction of the electrical discharge; and   d. said supplemental electrode having geometrical and electrical parameters satisfying the following equation:   S=I.sub.d /C,      where S is the surface area of said supplemental electrode and depends on said distance between said main electrodes, I d  is the current flowing in said supplemental electrode during normal glow discharge, and C is a constant characterizing said current I d , the composition of said supplemental electrode, and the type and pressure of said discharge medium.     
     
     
       2. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of said main electrodes and supplemental electrode includes at least one output lead. 
     
     
       3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said supplemental electrode is connected to a power source via a switch, for causing said supplemental electrode to act as a preparatory cathode. 
     
     
       4. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of said main electrodes terminates in a corresponding output lead extending outside said envelope; wherein said supplemental electrode terminates in two leads extending outside said envelope; and   wherein said main electrodes leads and said supplemental electrode leads are connected to a voltage for connection to a power source.   
     
     
       5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said envelope is coated with an appropriate coating, made of luminophor, lacquer, or paint. 
     
     
       6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said envelope is generally cylindrically shaped. 
     
     
       7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said envelope is generally U-shaped. 
     
     
       8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said envelope is arcuately shaped. 
     
     
       9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said main electrodes are spirally-shaped. 
     
     
       10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said main electrodes are cylindrically shaped. 
     
     
       11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said discharge medium is gas-argon under a pressure ranging between 200 Pa and 700 Pa. 
     
     
       12. The device according to claim 1, wherein said supplemental electrode is shaped as a filament and is made of carbon steel annealed in hydrogen. 
     
     
       13. The device according to claim 1, wherein said envelope has an extended length; and further includes at least one additional intermediate electrode disposed between said main electrodes.   
     
     
       14. The device according to claim 1, wherein said main electrodes are identical. 
     
     
       15. The device according to claim 1, wherein said supplemental electrode includes a plurality of sections; and wherein two adjacent sections of said plurality of sections form a clearance therebetween.   
     
     
       16. The device according to claim 1, wherein said main electrodes and said supplemental electrode are connected to an alternating (AC) power source; and wherein said supplemental electrode remains at a negative potential.   
     
     
       17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the surface area S of said supplemental electrode is defined by the following equation:   S=II×D×L,     where D is the diameter of said supplemental electrode, and L is equal to said separation distance between said main electrodes.   
     
     
       18. The device according to claim 1, wherein said discharge medium includes a gaseous substance. 
     
     
       19. The device according to claim 1, wherein said discharge medium includes vacuum. 
     
     
       20. The device according to claim 1, wherein said discharge medium includes metal vapors. 
     
     
       21. The device according to claim 1, wherein said discharge medium is contained, under low pressure within said envelope. 
     
     
       22. The device according to claim 1, wherein said envelope is made from optically transparent material. 
     
     
       23. The device according to claim 1, wherein said envelope is made of a ceramic, metallic or glass material. 
     
     
       24. The device according to claim 1, wherein said supplemental electrode is formed on said envelope. 
     
     
       25. The device according to claim 1, wherein said supplemental electrode is formed on said envelope. 
     
     
       26. The device according to claim 1 for connection to an external load, and for maintaining a generally constant potential across said external load. 
     
     
       27. The device according to claim 1 for connection across an external load, and for maintaining a generally constant current flowing through said external load. 
     
     
       28. The device according to claim 1 for generating random aperiodic oscillations. 
     
     
       29. The device according to claim 1, wherein said constant C is empirically determined, and characterizes said current I d , the composition of said supplemental electrode, and the type and pressure of said discharge medium. 
     
     
       30. The device according to claim 29, wherein the current density in said supplemental electrode is substantially constant.